Apparatus for packaging stranded material



Aug. 28, 1962 v. c. REES 3,051,402

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING JSTRANDED MATERIAL.

Filed March 3, 11958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY ie/man C. Qma 2o) fl06egdwopz ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, V. C- REES APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STRANDED MATERIAL Filed March 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

20656 fame/1e A TTORNE YS UflliQ This invention relates broadly to a novel method and apparatus for packaging strands of material. More specifically, it relates to an improved method and apparatus for packaging a strand comprised of a multiplicity of fine glass filaments.

Although this description is primarily concerned with the packaging of strands comprised of fine glass filaments, it is not to be construed as restricted to glass, but is to include organic and inorganic filamentary strands, particularly those which are coated with a size, lubricant or binder.

In the manufacture of strands of the type defined above, a plurality of streams flow from a bushing having a predetermined number of small orifices. The streams are attenuated in any conventional manner, collected into a strand and traversed upon a spool to form a package. It is also the general practice to apply a coating of a lubricant, size, or binder at the collection point.

Thereafter, the strand is traversed upon the periphery of a rotating bobbin or spool to form a package.

Unfortunately, the known devices for traversing the strand upon a spool physically contact the strand, either continuously or at regularly spaced intervals. This contact tends to separate the filaments after the binder has set, thereby destroying the integrity of the strand. Furthermore, experiments with traversing devices which physically contact the strand have revealed a variation in tension of the strand within each cycle of the traverser and in addition when continuity of a uniformly applied coating is imperative such contact has a deleterious effect upon the uniformity and continuity of the coating.

Also, the known traversing devices are located in close proximity to the mandrel which rotates the spool or core and many are rather fragile in nature. The replacement of the spool is a rapidly executed maneuver and because of the fragility and close proximity of the traversing mechanisms to the mandrel the mechanism is susceptible to damage when a replacement spool is not properly aligned with the mandrel. Furthermore, many of the traversing mechanisms in use require frequent cleaning and adjusting, due primarily to lint and dirt fouling the mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for packaging stranded material.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for applying a uniform coating to a stranded material.

It is another object of this invention to produce a helically wound package wherein a coated strand is traversed upon a spool without physical contact by the traversing mechanism.

It is still another object of this invention to provide apparatus that is of simple and rugged construction.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide apparatus for winding and traversing a strand upon a spool, wherein the spool replacement area is unobstructed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus for packaging strands of material;

tcs atent FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the relative positions of the guide and the spool as viewed from the right of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a bushing for drawing glass. The bottom of the bushing is provided with a number of orifices corresponding to the number of filaments making up the strand.

The bushing is charged with a supply of glass, usually in the form of marbles, which supply is replenished at a rate commensurate with the draw. Heat is applied to the bushing in any convenient manner, as electrically, to render the glass therein molten and of a consistency so that it will rapidly flow from the orifices in streams 12. The streams of glass 12 are attenuated by means to be described hereinafter and collected into a single strand at a guide 13 which is faced at the point of contact with a cloth 14, such as is used to cover tennis balls. The cloth is wet by the coating material issuing in a liquid stream from the nozzle '16. Thereafter the strand 17 is wound upon a revolving spool 18. The apparatus described above is conventional in form and function, however, when taken in combination with the hereinafter disclosed winding mechanism, a novel means for coating and packaging stranded material is evolved.

The winding mechanism is generally indicated by the numeral 19 including a frame 20 comprised of four legs 21 connected at the top by pairs of angle irons 22 and 23 to form a rectangle and at an intermediate point by additional pairs of angle irons 24 and '25. A bracket 26 is welded to the outer face of one of the angle irons 24 and supports a constant speed motor 27 outside the frame with the motor output shaft 28 extending horizontally into the open space within the frame (FIG. 2). Another pair of angle irons 29 are in spaced, parallel alignment to the bracket 26 spanning the space between the angle irons 24. A pair of brackets 30 are bolted to the angle irons 29 with a space between and provide bearings 31 for a shaft 32 which is joined to the motor output shaft 28 by a coupling 33. A uniform motion cam 34 is fastened to the shaft 32 in the space between the brackets 30 by a set screw 35 or equivalent means.

A pair of brackets 36 rise from the angle irons 22 to the left of the cam 34, as viewed in FIG. 1, and pivotally support a shaft 37. A motor base 38 is formed of angle irons 39 and a plate 40 to which a constant speed motor 41 is bolted with the output shaft 42 of the motor 41 above and at right angles to the cam shaft 31. A pair of brackets 43 (FIG. 1) depend from the end of the motor base 38 remote from the motor shaft 42 and are rigidly connected to the shaft 37. Another shaft 44 is rigidly fastened to the lower side of the motor base 38 at the opposite end by brackets 45 welded to the frame and by a pair of collars 46 to prevent end-Wise movement of the shaft 44. A cam follower 47 is mounted for free rotation on the shaft 44 and is in engagement with the peripheral face 48 of the cam 34 at a point in vertical alignment with the cam shaft 32. A pair of collars 49, one on either side of the cam follower 47, maintains the follower 47 in alignment with the cam 34.

A mandrel 50 of any suitable type for retaining the replaceable spool 18 in positive rotative engagement therewith is mounted on the output shaft 42 of the motor 41. The shaft 42, the mandrel 50 and the spool 18 rotate as a unit. The length and diameter of the mandrel may vary to accommodate spools of different length and diameter than that shown in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the uniform motion cam 34 is rotated in either direction to pivot the motor base 38 on the shaft 37 and by reason of the uniform rise and fall of the cam 34 the distance between centers of the cam shaft 32 and the cam follower shaft 44 is respectively increasing and decreasing. The motor 41, the mandrel 5t} and the spool 18 will rise and fall in unison with the motor base 38 within the limits of the dashed line positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Also as shown in FIG. 1, the solid line position of the spool bisects the arc inscribed by the spool 18 and is hereinafter designated as the normal or at rest position. For purposes of illustration, the are generated by the pivotal action lies in a vertical plane, however, it is well within the scope of the operation to pivot the motor-mandrel assembly in a horizontal plane or in an inclined plane. In order to accomplish the latter it would be well within the comprehension of one skilled in the art to substitute an eccentric linked to the motor for the cam and roller shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will also be noted in FIGS. 1 and 3 that the collection point on the pad 14 lies in a plane that is normal to a line parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool 18, that in the at rest position (solid line) the strand 17 contacts the periphery of the spool 18 midway of its length and as the spool is pivoted from the normal position the strand 17 traverses toward the end of the spool lying closer to the collection point. Thus, as the spool 18 is pivoted through one complete cycle two courses will be wound upon the spool, each course being in an opposite direction.

' Irrespective of the pivoted position of the spool 18 within the prescribed limits of the arc the approach of the strand 17 to the spool 18 is normal to the axis of rotation of the spool.

It will also be noted that the traversed length of the package varies directly to the distance between the collection point 14 and the axis of the spool. Thus, if the pad 14 were moved away from the spool 18, the traversing stroke would be increased and conversely if the pad were moved toward the spool the stroke would be decreased. Varying the throw of the cam 34 also increases and decreases the magnitude of the traversing stroke in direct proportion. However, since the approach of the strand 17 is at all times normal to the axis of rotation of the spool 18, the diameter of the spool or the depth of the cake will not alter the magnitude of the traversing stroke.

Since it is simpler to vary the distance between the pad 14 and the spool '18, this is the preferred form of varying the magnitude of the traversing stroke. However, if for some reason it is desired to change cams, it would be a relatively simple matter to provide means for vertically raising and lowering the cam shaft 32 to retain the spool 18 in the solid line position of FIG. 1 when the cam follower 44 is in contact with the median point on the periphery of either the rise or fall.

The uniform motion cam 34 shown will produce a substantially cylindrical package. However, modification of the cam will permit acceleration and deceleration within the traversing stroke to produce a package that is crowned at the center or one that is crowned at the ends.

In order to attenuate the filaments 12 and the strand 17, motor 41 revolves at a speed which is calculated to wind the strand on the spool 18 at a lineal rate that exceeds the lineal flow of the filaments from the bushing 10. Likewise, the rotative speed of the motor 27 carrying the cam 3-4 is calculated to provide a traverse of the spool 18 so that successive bights of the strand are separated. With the rpm. of motor 41 held constant, the space between successive bights varies in direct ratio with the rpm. of the motor 27. When packaging coated strand, it is preferred to traverse the spool rapidly with the strand 17 inscribing a large helix angle. Thus, the bights in any half cycle are spaced apart a substantial distance and the big-hts of any complementary half cycle intersect the bights of the preceding half cycle at an angle to provide substantially point contacts at the intersections. This feature is particularly important in packaging coated material, for the package unwinds with less tension being placed on the strand and at a uniform tension throughout the package.

Briefly summarizing, glass is melted in a bushing 10 and flows from a plurality of orifices formed in the bottom of the bushing as streams. The heated streams of glass attenuate into filaments as they descend and are coated and collected into a strand at a point, such as pad 14. Thereafter, the strand 17 is started on the spool 18 and the motors 27 and 41 are energized to respectively pivot and revolve the spool 18. The starting point of the strand on the spool is immaterial for the strand 17 will quickly assume a position normal to the axis of rotation of the spool 18 and will retain that position as the axis of rotation is pivoted forward and back within the are prescribed by the cam 34. Each revolution of the cam 34 will produce a forward and a reverse traverse of the spool with the lead angle of the strand proportionate to the relative speeds of the motors.

The winding and traversing apparatus may also be used advantageously in transferring a continuous strand from one package to another, either using the pad 14 to apply a coating or replacing the pad with a guide eye.

Though not specifically shown in the drawings, it is considered within the scope of this invention to progressively incline the spool in one direction only and by properly coordinating the speed of rotation of the spool with the rate of inclination, to wind a package to its full depth in a unidirectional traverse.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as an illustrative embodiment only of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, as well as various procedural changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for forming a continuous strand package of predetermined width from a plurality of continuous filaments, comprising a source for said strand, a spool rotatable about a first axis and adapted to receive a strand on the periphery thereof, means for rotating said spool, means spaced from said first axis for collecting said filaments into a strand and for directing said strand onto said spool in a path normal to the axis of said spool, and oscillating means oscillating said first axis within a prescribed arc to traverse said strand upon said spool a length substantially corresponding to said predetermined width, said oscillating means oscillating about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis and out of vertical alignment with said spool.

2. Apparatus for winding a continuous strand upon a spool to form a package of predetermined width, comprising a source for said strand, a spool, means for rotating said spool about an axis, guide means spaced from said spool and adapted to direct said strand from said source onto said spool in a path normal to the axis of said spool, and means for pivotally inclining the axis of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation and out of vertical alignment with said spool to advance the strand along the spool as it is wound thereon a length corresponding to said width.

3. Apparatus for forming a package, having a predetermined width, of strand material comprising: a source of strand material; a rotatable spool; means for rotating said spool about a first axis at a predetermined speed and thereby winding the strand material; and oscillating means for pivotally oscillating said spool about a second axis, said second ax-is being normal to said first axis and lying in a plane displaced from any vertical plane normal to said first axis and extending through said spool, and said oscillating means being adapted to oscillate said spool in a manner whereby said strand traverses a length of said spool equal to said predetermined width.

4. In a device for winding a continuous strand upon a spool to form a package having a predetermined width, the combination comprising: a cantilevered support means, rotatable about an axis, for supporting said spool in a manner whereby it may be inserted and withdrawn along a rectilineal line coaxial with the axis of rotation of said support means; means for rotating said support means; and means for pivotally oscillating said support means about a point displaced from any vertical plane normal to said axis and extending through said spool.

5. Apparatus for packaging material in strand form comprising: a rotatable spool about which 'a strand of material is adapted to be Wound; and a motor supporting said spool at one end thereof, said motor being pivotally mounted for movement in a path about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said spool and out of vertical alignment with said spool to successively move said strand in opposite directions substantially lengthwise of said spool.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,986 Slayter et al. Mar. 18, 1941 2,613,039 Holcomb Oct. 7, 1952 2,723,440 Corbiere et al. Nov. 15, 1955 2,846,157 Stephens et al. Aug. 5, 1958 2,854,731 Drummond Oct. 7, 1958 2,863,208 Drummond et al. Dec. 9, 1958 2,895,210 Hubband July 21, 1959 2,932,461 Kimberly Apr. 1, 1960 

